Rotary legends abound with examples of individuals' ideas spawning world-changing projects and organisations. Often these people have been challenged by naysayers, met with direct opposition or simply apathy, but it has been their conviction and grit that have won the day.

Earlier this year, I referred to Angela Lee Duckworth’s research on the power of ‘grit’ which she defines as “working strenuously toward challenges, maintaining effort and interest over years despite failures, adversity, and plateaus in progress.”

It was Ken Linnett, this week’s speaker’s grit that enabled him to track down the extraordinary trainer of the famous Tulloch and author a fine book on this great racehorse.

Even within established projects and organisations, grit remains vital because plateaus and declines are inevitable. Holding ground can be difficult. Whether because of complacency or attrition of key personnel, it is easy to begin to slip backwards. Stemming that slide can be as hard as building the organisation in the first place. Staying still is not an option.

In a recent Forbesposting, Mark Schellinger reflected on a version of the well-known quote by Lou Holz “In this world, you're either growing or you're dying so get in motion and grow.” Shellinger maintains that great organisations have a growth culture "Growth is a framework that needs to drive all operational tasks, projects and initiatives of a company." He goes on to say that even small organisations need "large and audacious goals" And finally, he argues that it is the vibrancy of growth that attracts and holds great people.

It is vital that Rotary and its clubs embrace these ideas, build a growth culture, have bold and audacious goals and in the process attract and hold great people, so let's 'get in motion and grow'.

I cannot let this week pass without acknowledging the fabulous CHANCES Golf Day completed this week. The success of the day was due principally to the grit of Noel Halford and the CHANCES team. Congratulations to all the organisers and thanks to the many supporters. Let’s keep CHANCES growing. The need is there.

Ian Bentley

President Rotary Club of Hawthorn

(Our photo shows a gritty Noel Halford, about to slake a hard-earned thirst after the "Chances" golf day. President Ian ensured that Noel received a standing ovation from the club for his efforts. - Ed.)

A super day of golf was held at the Box hill Golf Club with 80 players and 20 non playing guests. The course was in excellent condition and we benefited from the fact the Box Hill Pro-Am was to be played the following Friday and Saturday.

Special thanks to those Rotary Clubs, corporates and individuals whose act of generosity is greatly appreciated by not only the CHANCES committee but also by the students from financially deprived backgrounds whom we support.

The event was won by a team comprised of Dylan Rash, Ryan Underwood, Griffin Underwood and Jarryd Swift with an Ambrose score of 51. Jarryd ( 4.07 metres) also finished runner up to Jonathon O’Donoghue (3.63 metres) in the nearest the pin competition. The car which would have been donated by Kia Chadstone, was not far away – perhaps next year.

The second team of Steven Curtis, Douglas Hawley, Eugene Fitzwilliam and Tony Laycock managed second with 52.25 followed by hometown heroes, Jonathon O’Donoghue, Simon O’Donoghue who claims to have taught his son Jonathon everything he knows, and the other father son combination Bill and James Troedel with a team score of 53.625.

(Former rugby player and referee Tony Laycock replied to my congratulations with a terse: "Hehe. We were outplayed by young uns who waited for us to walk 60 meters before they hit off!!" - Ed.)

Chris Hanson, who has hit more holes in one than anyone the writer knows won the straightest drive.

The day concluded with a Dinner compered by Graham “Smokey” Dawson ,where the prize winners received their awards.Chairperson Elida Brereton thanked those for their support of CHANCES and informed those attending just how difficult it can be for talented students who come from a background of financial hardship.

Thanks to all those involved in making the event a success particularly my fellow organisers, Robert Hogan (Rotary Club of Glenferrie), Clinton Sceney (Rotary Club of Yarra Bend) and Lili-Anne Kriegler (Rotary Club of Canterbury). A special mention to Di Gillies (Rotary Club of Balwyn), and Hawthorn Rotarians, Kim Darcy , David Pisterman and Hawthorn President, Ian Bentley whose assistance on the day was invaluable.

They all made this important Rotary event such an enjoyable and successful fundraiser for Boroondara Cares Foundation’s Chances Scholarship Program. The final tally is not in yet, but around $7,000.00 has been raised. You have each made a difference.

Author Ken Linnett told us some heartwarming stories from his new book. Tulloch was brought over from New Zealand by trainer TJ Smith in 1956, and is regarded as one of the three finest racehorses in Australian racing history. He won at distances from 5 furlongs to 2 miles, established Australian records at 10 furlongs (1960 Cox Plate) and 12 furlongs (1957 Caulfield Cup), and took 2 seconds off Phar Lap's 28-year-old record for the AJC Derby.

As a three-year-old Tulloch won 14 of his 16 starts before he was struck down by a virus which kept him off the racing scene for almost two years. He returned to racing as a five-year-old and won 15 of his last 24 races.

Ken told us how Tulloch was a savage and difficult horse to handle, until cheeky stablehand Lem Bamm was given the task of looking after him. Bamm gradually gained Tulloch’s confidence, and made friends with him using judicious lumps of sugar and carrots. Bamm, a song and dance man, whistled his way into the horse’s heart.

Photo: Ken Linnett (author) and Lem Bann (Tulloch's strapper) with the painting that made the cover of Tulloch biography.

Tulloch was one of the five inaugural horse inductees into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, alongside Carbine, Phar Lap, Bernborough and Kingston Town. We thank Ken Linnett for his insight into the background of this famous horse.

Rotary staff photographer Alyce Henson has been shooting images for Rotary for more than a decade. In her post for Rotary Voices, Alyce shares her tips for taking better photos of club projects, and how to shoot images that you can use to make your own People of Action ads. With a little bit of practice, a few simple guidelines, and a touch of confidence, you can produce some amazing results.

Rotarians and Rotaractors plant mangrove trees at Bonefish Pond National Park in Nassau.

Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1.

This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes.

When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

“Your Rotary, Rotaract, or Interact club can earn a Rotary Citation for achieving goals that strengthen Rotary and your club. Goals include increasing club membership, developing sustainable service projects, giving to The Rotary Foundation, and building awareness of Rotary in your community.”

So it was a real delight to have PDG Peter Frueh present PP Katrina Flinn with a Rotary Citation, signed by RI President Ian Riseley at our meeting on Tuesday. The Shadow hears a whisper that only sixteen clubs in D9800 achieved this recognition.

A welcome guest at the club was Matthew Swindells, Coles logistics manager, who was thanked for arranging the delivery of footcare goods to Boab Health in far-off West Australia. This completed the project conceived by the monthly evening group. We see him here with friends Helen Kavnoudias and Dimitrios Bairaktaris.

Pharmacist Andrew Farmer was presented with a certificate of thanks for his contribution to the club over the past year. As you know, phrnmacists do not charge for witnessing signatures, and customers often offer a donation. We thank Andrew for passing these donations towards our community projects.

Finally, a pretty picture for you: Joanna Benhamou, with Eva Li, who was a guest of Kim D’Arcy.

As Told by the Boys Who Fed Me Apples: Sandy was the only Australian War Horse to return home from World War I. This is his poignant and fragmented war story. Through Sandy we experience the lives of three men who fought in the war.

The West Gate Tunnel Project is a $6.7 billon city shaping project that will deliver a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge, provide quicker and safer journeys, and remove thousands of trucks off residential streets. Chair: Noel McInnes

Nov 27, 2018 - The Hon Ted Bailleau

Kim D'Arcy always seeks to finalize numbers by Monday 8.30am by collating responses about attendance at the next meeting. So please try to email back to her by that time; and, at the same time, forewarn of any guests. (Predicting our numbers as closely as possible helps to minimize our catering costs.) kimcco@tpg.com.au